Break in questions

Webb · #1 06-04-2008, 08:47 PM

How many hours before you considered your engine broken in and started backing off on it?

How many hours before you did your first oil change?

How many hours before you installed gear and leg fairings?

Ron Lee · #2 06-04-2008, 10:26 PM

Check your engine builder break in instructions first

My first oil change was at about two hours then another 8-10 hours..included filter.

guccidude1 · #3 06-04-2008, 10:56 PM

I ran my O-360, FP, on mineral oil for 10 hours before changing oil and filter, then 15 more hours, another oil and filter change. At that point, I poured in AeroShell 100 and now have 182 hours on the engine. I use a quart approximately every 10 hours and normal oil/filter change is 50 hours. Dan

Webb · #4 06-05-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Lee

Check your engine builder break in instructions first

My first oil change was at about two hours then another 8-10 hours..included filter.

I have checked the manual but it seems that no two builders did it the same as they babied their baby with most more conservative (and I don't blame them).

I will definately follow my instructions.

I'm most curious on the other two questions.

Tony Spicer · #5 06-05-2008, 04:43 AM

See this, courtesy of Randy Lervold:

http://www.romeolima.com/RV3works/En...#EngineBreakIn

Leaving all the fairings off while running high power settings will slow things down a bit.

Leaving all the fairings off while you learn to land will reduce repair time.

Tony

Kahuna · #6 06-05-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webb

How many hours before you considered your engine broken in and started backing off on it?

How many hours before you did your first oil change?

How many hours before you installed gear and leg fairings?

1.Its not you that considers the engine broke in.
It either is or isnt.
With most applications, and please check your particular manufacturer, its when the oil consuption drops and when the CHT's lower. ITs when the rings are seated. When they do, oil consumption drops and you see a significant drop in cht's due to lower heat being produced. A good engine monitor of all cylinders makes this a cool thing to watch.
Its usually between ~1 & 5 hours but I have only done this on a dozen new engines so my experience is pretty limited.
2. Most applications are 10, 25, 50 with you coming off the mineral oil at 50.
again, read the book.
3. Does not really matter. some on first flight, some are still not on after a thousand hours. Its not material to the first question.

Webb · #7 06-05-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

1.Its not you that considers the engine broke in.
It either is or isnt.
With most applications, and please check your particular manufacturer, its when the oil consuption drops and when the CHT's lower. ITs when the rings are seated. When they do, oil consumption drops and you see a significant drop in cht's due to lower heat being produced. A good engine monitor of all cylinders makes this a cool thing to watch.
Its usually between ~1 & 5 hours but I have only done this on a dozen new engines so my experience is pretty limited.
2. Most applications are 10, 25, 50 with you coming off the mineral oil at 50.
again, read the book.
3. Does not really matter. some on first flight, some are still not on after a thousand hours. Its not material to the first question.

#1 As far as break-in, you've given me more specific info than I've been able to find. The 1-5 hours is an experience answer that I haven't seen written. I'll be keeping a close eye on the engine monitor for that conversion.

#2 You've given me more info than the manual. My manual good on how to fly the engine for breaking but I can only find info on initial oil (MO) and regular oil. Not do this at 10 hours, 15 hours, etc.... It does list 25 hour inspection, 50 hr, etc... I'll keep looking for specifics but did not see it on a quick once over this morning. I've also heard/seen, 1st change at 2, 5, 10 and second at 10, 15, and 25.

#3 - Sorta associated with break-in. Running hard for seating rings but trying to keep plane a bit slower.

Thanks again - I appreciate the info. Makes it easier to hunt down more later on.

RV10inOz · #8 06-06-2008, 05:40 AM

DO NOT BABY THE ENGINE!!!!!!

Run it hard, and just be mindful of temps.

Circuits are very good for running engines it, full power climbs followed by a cooling period followed by a missed approach or touch and go if you need the practise, and then climb at full power.

Keep the power above 75% as much as you can, just not too steep a climb so that you keep CHT's in check.

do this for 25 hours and you will be half way there to having a good reliable engine.

If you are doing cross country runs, keep it below 5000' and keep the power in, but in the forst 5 hours do lots of climb, level out, let speed/ cooling build up and go again. 2 min climb, and 2-4 level, climb again.

You get the idea I am sure.

DO NOT BABY YOUR ENGINE!!!!!!

DB

Webb · #9 06-06-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV10inOz

DO NOT BABY THE ENGINE!!!!!!

Run it hard, and just be mindful of temps.

Circuits are very good for running engines it, full power climbs followed by a cooling period followed by a missed approach or touch and go if you need the practise, and then climb at full power.

Keep the power above 75% as much as you can, just not too steep a climb so that you keep CHT's in check.

do this for 25 hours and you will be half way there to having a good reliable engine.

If you are doing cross country runs, keep it below 5000' and keep the power in, but in the forst 5 hours do lots of climb, level out, let speed/ cooling build up and go again. 2 min climb, and 2-4 level, climb again.

You get the idea I am sure.

DO NOT BABY YOUR ENGINE!!!!!!

DB

You don't have to worry about me rocking the baby. My biggest issue was I couldn't find hours on oil changes in the instruction manual. It was very specific about breaking in the engine, but severely lacking on when to change the oil.

I'll post the break-in instructions tonight for those that haven't gotten an engine yet and others can add/take away from the recommendations.

Regarding oil change times, the Superior engine was bench run before delivered. Based on that and what I've read, I'm planning on a 5 hour, 15 hour, and 25 hour change with mineral oil. Then at 50 hours, coming off mineral oil unless anyone out there has a better plan. I'm also going to call Eagle Engines to get their recommendations.

Since I'm going to have to buy an initial and 3 changes (plus 4 filters), any suggestions where to buy 3 cases of mineral oil and filters. Might as well order now because it's not long now till grinning.

Kahuna · #10 06-06-2008, 06:45 AM

I forgot to add.
Its manifold pressure and heat that seats the rings. the above post is exactly right. Run the bejesus out of it. take off with everything fwd, and dont touch the black and blue knobs.
Stay as low as you can safely stand it. Again its MP not RPM that seats the rings. RPM helps create the heat. Every thousand feet of altitude is hurting your chances of breakin. I cant tell you howmany pilots have gone to 6k feet cause they feel safe, and never got their rings broken in, and had to pull all jugs, rehone, new rings, start over. Dont be that guy!

As for richness, my technique is to lean to ~100ROP as long as the CHTs stay below 450. If they cant, Ill richen to put to ~450. That heat and friction, along with the high MP, is the secret sauce.